OSHA Inspection: BUNTING BEARINGS CORP.

Issued

Feb 5, 1996

Abate by

Mar 11, 1996

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $2,000

Hazardous substances 8330

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from
recognized hazards that
were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to
employees in that employees
were exposed to:
The hazard of excessive heat levels from the gas furnaces at the molder
work stations. The wet
bulb globe temperature averaged 82.6 F over a two-hour time period. The
recommended ACGIH
threshold limit value is 78 F after allowance is given for the heavy
coveralls employees wear.
This employer has no written heat stress program nor has any heat stress
training been given to
employees where the possibility of heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and/or
heat collapse exists.
Among other methods, some feasible and acceptable means to abate this
hazard include:
Engineering controls at the heat source such as general ventilation which
uses cooler air, usually
from outside, to dilute hot air; insulation of furnaces; dehumidifiers;
reflective shielding.
Administrative controls such as acclimatization of new employees and
employees returning from
extended leave; job rotation of employees to limit time in a hot area;
scheduling hot jobs for the
cooler periods, e.g., early morning, cool part of day, or night shift;
scheduling routine
maintenance and repair work in hot areas for the cooler seasons of the
year; worker monitoring
programs that can be done by checking heart rate, recovery heart rate,
oral temperature, or
extent of body water loss; using intermittent rest periods with fluid
replacement, e.g., one cup
every twenty minutes; providing an air-conditioned breakroom.
A heat stress training program which includes knowledge of the hazards of
heat stress;
recognition of predisposing factors, danger signs, and symptoms of heat
stress; first aid training
in the procedures for, and the potential health effects of, heat stroke;
employee responsibilities
in avoiding heat stress; dangers of using drugs, including therapeutic
ones, and alcohol in hot
work environments; use of protective clothing and equipment. To be
effective,
clothing must be
adequate for the amount of heat generated by the worker's body while
performing the job, and
allow workers the types of movement required by their jobs. Heavier
clothing impedes sweat
and can contribute to the hazard; purpose and coverage of environmental
and medical
surveillance programs, and the advantages of worker participation in such
programs.tion

Issued

Feb 5, 1996

Abate by

Mar 11, 1996

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Feb 5, 1996

Abate by

Mar 11, 1996

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

Feb 5, 1996

Abate by

Mar 11, 1996